New To the Gym Thing & Need Suggestions

Alright all you C-C Fitness Freaks  :-)

I've just joined the gym and I have no idea what I'm doing.  I have an appointement with one of the trainers next Saturday to orient me and see what's best for my goals but in the mean time I want to go a few times to start getting into the habit. 

Right now my biggest goal is just getting down there 3 times a week.  But now, how long do I exercise for?  What is the best stuff for me to do?  Yesterday and today I've just been doing the tredmill for about 45 min then putzing around with the fun weight machines (the engineer in me loves to play with contraptions :-) )

So I guess my question is this:  What is a good routine for a beginning gym goer to do, about 3 times a week, to lose weight and tone up a bit, in particular her thighs, waist and upper arms?

Thanks in advance!!  :-)

it's hard to know without knowing your background in exercise and fitness levels, but it's really good that you're meeting with a trainer.  that's one of the best ways to figure out a good exercise routine and learn some new exercises.

BUT, here are some ideas :)  1. You want to incorporate cardio AND strength training.

Since you're just starting, find a cardio machine that you enjoy--i like the treadmill and elliptical.  not a fan of the bike :)  do that machine for 30-40 minutes, or do one for 15-20 and the other 15-20.  try playing with the resistance as well as speeds to vary your workout.  ellipticals can be really good if you want to focus on your thighs and butt. 

for strength training, lunges and squats are great for legs--they'll really work your quads, hamstrings, and butt.  try taking a wide-stance in front of a bench, holding a 15-25 lb weight (whatever's comfortable) in front of you hanging between your legs.  then squat down so your butt touches the edge of the bench--like you're going to sit down.  do about 25 or so.  for abs, bicycle crunches and crunches on a fitness ball are super effective.  upper arms, try military press.  you can couple a military press with a wide stance squat--use about 5 lb weight in each hand, hold at your shoulder, squat down, and as you come up, push your arms straight up over your head. then lower them back to your shoulders as you squat down.  bicep curls and tricep extensions are also important for upper arms.

your trainer will be able to give you a lot more exercises and show you proper form.  it might be most effective and safest if you wait until you meet with a trainer before you start really trying to strength train. 

but congrats on joining the gym and starting to get into the habit! It's a great habit to have, and you'll feel a lot better about yourself!

You have what it takes! Yes - get into the habit of going. Next, how old are you? If you are young then your trainer will start you easy with instructions to 'bump up' your own routine as you are able to easily complete the one you're on. However, if you are OVER 40, then you must take whatever your trainer (probably young) says and modify it. Over 40 you can damage your tendons and then the pain will keep you from working out! ALWAYS start with a warm up - usually walking on the treadmill until you break out in a sweat. Again, modify with your age. Also - GENDER! Women do not get 'hot' as fast as men. The workout must be a little slower and a little longer (measure by distance rather than time) if you are female and out of shape. Find out what your body fat content is through your trainer. My gym charges only $10 to find that out - it's very simple and has a print out. Body fat is what you want to get rid of as the muscle burns the fat. And do not starve yourself - even if you're a young guy or and old gal - do not starve yourself. There you have 40 years of diet & exercise experience. GOOD LUCK! kt

I like walking uphill on the treadmill and the elliptical. You can use the heart rate monitors on the machine to see if you are working hard enough.

I started out doing 20 minutes on the elliptical and now am up to 45 minutes. I am now following that with walking uphilll on the treadmill for 25 minutes. This is about the max amount of cardio time for me. I'll just change the intensity and speed to keep the calorie burn the same. My current goal is to burn ~500 calories each session at least 4 times a week.

I used to like the stair climbers when I was younger but now they seem to bother my knees so I'll stick to the elliptical for now. When I drop more weight and get fitter I plan to try the spin class at my gym.

I also lift weights and your trainer will give you a routine to follow.

I recommend getting an mp3 player - they are great for the gym.

thanks for the suggestions everyone.  i went to a yoga class on monday and was supposed to do a work out yesterday but that just didn't happen.  today and tomorrow i have other activities and friday i'll be out of town.  so it looks like i won't be back at the gym until sat when i meet with the trainer.  hopefully i'll get a better idea of what's best for me.  thanks again!